Biotech Newsletter

Letter of support to USDA/APHIS seeking full de-regulation of the Arctic® apple

Dec 6, 2013

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Hello!

On behalf of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc., I am writing to ask if you would consider a letter of support to USDA/APHIS seeking full de-regulation of the Arctic® apple, one of the first biotechnology-derived products delivering a true consumer-benefit.

The Arctic apple is the result of an apple-to-apple transformation that won’t turn brown when sliced open, or bruised. It means less potential food waste, and longer shelf life. Moreover, because the apple won’t brown when exposed to air, it retains more of its natural health-promoting qualities. The Arctic apple – both the tree and fruit – are exactly the same as their conventional counterpart, and pose no human or environmental concern. Please consider submitting a comment in support of the full de-regulation of the Arctic apple, by going to:
(http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=APHIS-2012-0025-1938)

THE PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSES DECEMBER 16, 2013.

Some key comments you may wish to consider:

Because of increased consumer convenience, this product may lead to increased consumption of healthy fruits.

This product may also result in less food waste because Arctic apples will not show superficial bruising, which currently results in many apples never making it into consumers hands.

Based on credible scientific review, this product does not pose any human or environmental concern.

Arctic apples do not pose a “weed” problem, because as with all apples, they are propagated by grafting rather than grown from seed nor do the seed grow wild.

The possible increase in nutritional benefit makes this product a valuable consumer good.

As____________, I am writing to urge USDA/APHIS to fully de-regulate the Arctic ® apple, as this novel product – both the tree and fruit – are exactly the same as their conventional counterpart, and pose no human or environmental concern.

Because of increased consumer convenience, this product may lead to increased consumption of healthy fruits and less food waste. Based on credible scientific review, this product does not pose any human or environmental concern.

Arctic apples do not pose a “weed” problem, because as with all apples, they are propagated by grafting rather than grown from seed nor do the seed grow wild. The possible increase in nutritional benefit makes this product a valuable consumer good.

Respectfully Submitted,

Name
Title

Draft 2:

Due to the possible increase in nutritional benefit to consumers, as well as the potential to increase consumption of healthy fruits, while reducing food waste, I am writing to urge USDA/APHIS to fully de-regulate the Arctic ® apple. This unique innovation does not pose a human or environmental concern, based on credible scientific review. This product is a valuable consumer good.